Cork or plug for hollow tiles



Se t. 10, 1935. F. A. STIRR' JP 2,013,736

CORK OR PLUG FOR HOLLOW TILES I Original Filed Oct. 1, 1932 I INVENTOR.

fi7a4/v/r 19: 5770001 ATTOR EY Patented Sept. 10, 1935 CORK R PLUG FOR HOLLOW TILES Application October 1, 1932, Serial No. 635,710 Renewed July 20, 1935 13 Claims.

This invention relates to hollow tiles, blocks or slabs of various kinds and classes, used as building material, and particularly to the provision of a cork or plug for closing one or both ends of the chambers or cores of bodies of this class; and the object of the invention is to provide a cork or plug constructed of inexpensive sheet material fashioned to fit in the chamber or core of bodies of the class described and including means for limiting the inward movement of the cork so as to position the bottom or closure wall of the cork in predetermined spaced relation with respect to the outer open end of the chamber of said body; a further object being to provide a cork or plug of the class described including side wall members adapted to tensionally engage the walls of the core or chamber, and wherein some of said wall members include at their outer ends flanges for engaging the outer surface of the body in connection with which the same is mounted; a further object being to provide a cork or plug of the class described, the transverse closure wall of which is fashioned to reduce the area of the chamber formed in the tile or other body outwardly of said cork or plug; a still further object being to provide means for reinforcing the bottom and side Wall structure of the cork or plug; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a tile showing my improved corks or plugs mounted in connection therewith.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through parts of adjacent tiles arranged in a floor or section, the section through one tile being on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cork or plug shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another form of cork which I employ.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another modified form of cork.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view, like Fig. 5, which may be taken through any of the corks made according to my invention, and showing another modification.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing another modification; and,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing an- 5 other modification.

For the purpose of illustrating one use of my invention, I have indicated at H3 in Fig. 2 of the drawing two tiles arranged in a floor and ceiling construction with adjacent ends of the tiles in spaced relation, the tiles having three, six or any other number of cores or chambers H extending therethrough, arranged in end to end relation, with the cores or chambers of the tile in alinemerit. 15

The tiles ID are arranged in the floor and ceiling structure in the usual manner prior to pouring the concrete around the tile; and in the old practice, this concrete would slush into and fill the cores or chambers ll of the tile, rendering the fioor and ceiling construction heavy and necessitating the use of heavy steel structural framework to support the load of the building. To overcome this difficulty, and to permit the use of lighter steel structural work as well as to 25 effect a saving in the cost of concrete employed, I provide corks or plugs l2 which fit in the open ends of the cores or chambers of the tile in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 so as to prevent the concrete from filling the cores or chambers of the tile, and yet provide a key member or members l3 of concrete between adjacent cores or chambers of the tile. The key members it extend into the chamber II of each tile to the extent of the depth of the corks or plugs, and these corks will be made in accordance with the architects specifications.

One of the corks or plugs I2 is shown in detail in Fig. 3 of the drawing and a number of the same assembled in a tile in Fig. 1 of the draw- 40 Eng. At I211, l2b, I20, lid, and Me I have shown in Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive modified forms of corks or plugs which differ from the plug E2 in the detail structure later described. All of these corks are made from sheets of any inexpensive material which will be suitable for the purpose intended, it being apparent that these devices must be constructed at the lowest possible cost.

It is found in practice that the use of these corks when constructed of inexpensive sheet metal will more than save their cost by a large margin when computing the saving in the concrete as well as the saving effected by the use of lighter steel structural work in the construction of a predetermined building.

The cork or plug I2 is fashioned from a sheet of material to form a back closure wall I4, the dimensions of which are slightly less than average dimensions of the cross section of the bore or chamber in the tile or other block in connection with which the devices are used. The corner portions of the wall I4 are rounded to a slight extent as seen at I5 to fit within the rounded corners I Ia of the chamber of the tile. It is preferred that the corner portions be sealed to a slight extent as indicated at I6 so as to permit the flexure thereof should said corner portions strike any protruding particle in the core or chamber of the tile.

At one side of the wall I 2 are formed side wall members I? and at the opposite side other wall members I8, which as will be noted, are 50 arranged as to permit the cutting of the devices I2 from a blank or workpiece without the loss of any material. The members Ill of one device are formed from the recesses I9 between the wall members IT. The wall members I? and I8 are not normally arranged at right angles to the wall It but flare outwardly to a slight extent and terminate at their ends in flanges 20, 2 I, respectively, the latter being adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the tile in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, to limit the inward movement of the corks or plugs with respect to the tile.

In this connection, it will be understood that in inserting the corks or plugs in the tile, the wall members I! and I8 are sprung inwardly and may in some cases be arranged, when mounted in the tile, at right angles to the wall I4, it being understood that the walls I'Iand I8 must be constructed so as to compensate the corks to chambers of varying cross sectional areas. In cases where the wall members I I and I8 do not fit snugly on the walls of the tile, the slight recesses or openings formed by the use of the cork I2 will not be suflicient to permit the concrete to pass intothe chambers of the tile inwardly of the corks.

To effect a better seal, corks or plugs such as those shown at I2a and I2!) in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawing may be employed, but by virtue of the structure of the latter devices, the expense thereof is increased in Figs. land 5 to a slight extent, whereas in Fig. 6 a. greater waste of material will be experienced. The structure shown in Fig. 4 differs from that shown in Fig. 3 in providing between the wall members IIa and I8a, which are similar in all respects to the wall members I! and I8, supplemental short wall members or flanges 22 and further by providing the ends of the wall Ida with other narrow angular wall members 23 consisting of separate parts formed by the cuts 25 so as to permit independent flexure of said parts. It will thus be seen that in the use of a cork or plug I2a, the wall members 22 in conjunction with the wall members Ha,

Illa, and the wall members 23;, will operate to seal.

the cork or plug to a greater degree in the core or chambers of the tile.

The cork or plug device I2b shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing differs from the devices I2, I2a, in that the sides of the wall member Mb have a series of adjacently arranged members I'Ib, IBb, each of the same construction as the members I'l, I8, but arranged in close proximity to each other to form a substantially continuous wall. Substituted for the wall members 23 are wall members 23a which are similar to the wall members Ill) and IBb.

When the device l2b is mounted in the tile a substantially continuous side wall' or lining is formed within the core or chamber of the tile outwardly of the wall member I lb; also a substantially continuous retaining flange 25 similar to the flanges 20, 2| is formed on the walls I lb,

I 8b, and 23a. In this connection, it will be under- 5 stood that the walls I'Ia have flanges 28a and the walls I8a flanges 2 Ia similar to the flanges 20, 2I.

In Fig. '7 of the drawing, I have shown at I20 a modified form of device, which structure is applicable to any one of the devices I2, I2a, and I21) and consists in forming on the bottom wall Me of the device an outwardly pressed part 28 which will reduce the area of the cement used in forming the key I3 shown in Fig. 1 as will be apparent, it being understood that the outwardly pressed part 26 is formed inwardly of the boundary edges of the bottom wall I40 so as to form a continuous wall of concrete around the projection 26 of a depth equal to the bottom wall I40 of the device.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing, I have shown at I211 another form of device which maybe applicable to the devices I2, I2a, and I2b. In this construction, the bottom wall Md at its peripheral edges is forced outwardly so as to dispose the peripheral part Me of said wall in alinement with the outer surface of the tile.

The side Walls 2? of this device, which may be equivalent to the walls I'I, I8 or the wall structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5, will extend inwardly 30 from the wall parts Me and terminate in curved ends 28 adapted to tensionally engagethe inner walls of the core I I of thetile as will be apparent. To limit the inward movement of the device I2d in the tile, two or more opposed walls of the device I211 may have extending parts 29 arranged in alinement with the wall I ie to engage the outer surface of the tile as will be apparent.

In Fig. 9 of the drawing, I have shown another modification which is shown applied to the device I2 shown in Fig. 3, but may be applicable to the devices I2a and I2b as will be apparent. In this construction, the bottom wall Id) of the de vice I2e is reinforced by a cross or X beading 39' to brace and strengthen the wall I4 and the side walls I10 and I80 are also reinforced by ribs 3! to strengthen the same. The ribs 3I are so arranged as not to interfere with the spring properties thereof.

It will be understood that my device may be 5 used in connection with building tile, blocks or slabs used in the construction of the walls of buildings, in which event the corks or plugs will simplify the placement of concrete, cement, mortar or the like between the tile blocks or slabs and will save the loss or waste in material, and in addition provide a binding key between adjacent tile blocks or slabs.

It will also be apparent that while I have shown certain details of construction in the formation 0 of the devices, my invention is not limited to the specific structures herein shown and described, nor to the making of these devices of any particular material, and various other changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown 5 and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In building material of the class described employing hollow chambers opening through the ends thereof, a corkfor closing the openings of said chambers, said cork being fashioned from a sheet of material the main body portion of which is of a contour substantially similar to the cross sectional area of the chamber to be closed thereby, said body portion having angularly projecting side wall members adapted to engage boundary walls of said chamber in supporting the cork therein, the free ends of said side wall members terminating in flanges adapted to engage the outer walls of the hollow building material to limit the inward movement of the cork in the chamber thereof, said side wall members consisting of independently yielding parts arranged longitudinally of the edges of said body portion and in spaced relation with respect to each other, and other shorter side wall members intermediate said first named members.

2. A tile cork or plug device of the class described comprising a rectangular body portion, each of two opposed side edges of said body portion having spaced, angularly arranged side wall members flaring outwardly with respect to the edges of said body portion to provide inward yielding movement of said wall members with respect to the body portion, the ends of said wall members terminating in outwardly extending flanges, said side wall members being arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, a distance equal to the width of said members, and the arrangement of the wall members on one side of the body portion being intermediate those of the other side to effect a saving in material in blanking said devices.

3. A tile cork or plug device of the class described comprising a rectangular body portion, two opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly arranged side wall members flaring outwardly with respect to the edges of said body portion to provide inward yielding movement of said wall members with respect to the body portion, the ends of said wall members terminating in outwardly extending flanges, said side wall members being arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other a distance equal to the width of said members, the arrangement of the wall members on one side of the body portion being intermediate those of the other side to affect a saving in material in blanking said devices, and the corners of the body portion having inwardly extending slits permitting fiexure thereof.

a. A tile cork or plug device of the class described comprising a rectangular body portion, two opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly arran ed side wall members flaring outwardly with respect to the edges of said body portion to provide inward yield ng movement of said wall members with respect to the body portion, the ends of said wall members terminating in outwardly extending flanges, said side wall members being arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other a distance equal to the width of said members, the arrangement of the wall members on one side of the body portion being intermediate those of the other side to effect a saving in material in blanking said devices, and said body portion intermediate and in spaced relation to the boundary edges thereof offset in one direction.

5. In building material of the class described employing hollow chambers opening through the ends thereof, a cork for closing the openings of said chambers, said cork being fashioned from a sheet of material, the main body portion of which is of a contour substantially similar to the cross sectional area of the chamber to be closed thereby, opposed side edges'of the body portion each having a plurality of angularly projecting side wall members adapted to engage boundary walls of said chambers in supporting the cork therein, and the side wall members at one side 5 of the body being disposed intermediate the side wall members at the opposite edge of said body.

6. In building material of the class described employing hollow chambers opening through the ends thereof, a cork for closing the openings of said chambers, said cork being fashioned from a sheet of material, the main body portion of which is of a contour substantially similar to the cross sectional area of the chamber to be closed thereby, opposed side edges of the body portion each having a plurality of angularly projecting side wall members adapted to engage boundary walls of said chambers in supporting the cork therein, the side wall members at one side of the body being disposed intermediate the side wall members at the opposite edge of said body, said side wall members terminating at their free ends in flanges adapted to engage the outer walls of the hollow building material to limit Howard movement of the cork in the chamber thereof, and said side wall members being spaced longitudinally of the opposed edges of said body to support the body in parallel relation with respect to the outer walls of the building material.

'7. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a rectangular body of sheet material, two opposed edges of which are each provided with longitudinally spaced, angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side wall members for retaining the device in connection with a suitable support, and the side wall members at one edge of said body being disposed intermediate the corresponding wall members at the opposite edge of said body.

8. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a rectangular body of sheet material, two opposed edges of which are each provided with longitudinally spaced, angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side wall members for retaining the device in connection with a suitable support, the side wall members at one edge of said body being disposed intermediate the corresponding wall members at the opposite edge of said body, the free ends of the side wall members terminating in angular flanges for limiting inward movement of the device with respect to a support, and other shorter and independently flexing members disposed intermediate the first named wall members on both side edges of said body.

9. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a rectangular body of sheet material, two opposed edges of which are each proided with longitudinally spaced, angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side Wall members for retaining the device in connection with a suitable support, the side wall members at one edge of said body being disposed intermediate the corresponding wall members at the opposite edge of said body, and the body portion of the device being offset outwardly.

10. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a body of sheet material, opposed edges of which are provided with angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side wall F members for retaining the device in connection with a support, and said body being drawn or offset to reinforce the same and to reduce the area of the key chamber formed outwardly of said body.

11. In building tile of the class described employing hollow chambers extending therethrough,

means for corking the open ends of the chambers of said tile to prevent the admission of concrete into said chambers when placed or poured around the tile, said means comprising devices formed from sheet material, the closure walls of which are countersunk in the chambers of the tile to a slight degree to form between tile arranged adjacent each other, concrete bodies entering the chambers of opposed tile for keying the same together, said devices including means for limiting the inward movement thereof with respect to the chambers of the tile, and the central body portion of said devices being pressed outwardly with respect to the open end of the chambers of the tile to materially reduce the area of the concrete keys Within the tile outwardly of said devices.

12. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a body of sheet material, opposed edges of which are provided with angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side wall members for, retaining the device in connection with a support, and said body portion having a central ofiset part forming a relatively large chamber within and in spaced relation to the boundary 7 walls of said body.

13. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a rectangular body of sheet material, two opposed edges of which are each provided with longitudinally spaced, angularly disposed and outwardly flaring side wall members for retaining the device in connection with a suitable support, the side wall members at one edge of said body being disposed intermediate the corresponding wall members at the opposite edge of said body, and said edges of the rectangular body having other angularly disposed and outwardly flaring members shorter than said first named side wall members and flexing independently thereof.

FRANK A. SI'IRRUP. 

